Heterologous Expression of Alkaline Metalloproteinases in Bacillus Subtilis SCK6 for Eco-Friendly Enzymatic Unhairing of Goatskins

In this study, alkaline metalloprotease gene 1067 was cloned from Planococcus halotolerans SCU63T and heterologously expressed in Bacillus subtilis SCK6. Using Luria Bertani (LB) broth medium as the initial medium, the optimal medium was obtained through a series of fermentation and culture optimization (g/L): yeast extract (10), soybean powder (15), urea (20), potassium chloride (6.7), calcium chloride (13.3), NaCl (10). On the basis of the optimal medium, the highest enzymatic activity of 1259.21 U/mL could be obtained by culturing at 30°C for 40 h. with pH 8, inoculation amount of 4% and filling amount of 50 mL. EDTA inhibits protease activity and PMSF promotes it, indicating that it was a metalloprotease rather than a serine protease. The optimum reaction temperature of the protease is 70°C, and the optimum pH is 9. The metal ions Zn 2+, Co2+ and surfactant β-ME, Tween 80 can improve the activity of the protease. The results of unhairing, SEM and staining show that this metalloprotease can completely dehair goatskin. Compared with the conventional chemical method, the goatskin after enzymatic unhairing has softer texture and smoother surface, and there is no obvious damage to the goatskin.